Hanukkah- Festival of lights

Hanukkah began on December 2,2018. It is an eight day celebration commemorating the victory over King Antiochus Epiphanes and his Syrian-Greek forces in 165 B.C.

It was a time not so much different than today with one exception. The Syrian-Greek regime was restricting the religious freedoms by force. If the people did not follow their restrictions, they were martyred. Circumcision which was required by Jewish law was forbidden. When Jewish mothers who refused to obey and circumcised their male babies,they had to watch as the babies were murdered. After watching that horrendous act, the baby was tied around her neck as an example to others. Antiochus prohibited the study of the Torah and even had the some of the scrolls burned. He removed the furniture from the temple and set up idols. He set up a pagan altar and placed the god of Zeus on it. He offered up swine to Zeus on the altar desecrating the Holy Place in the Temple. Antiochus hated the Jews and sought to wipe them out. 40,000 Jews were martyred in Jerusalem along with the High Priest.

Finally, one family,the Maccabees from the line of Aaron, led a revolt and with a small band guerilla soldiers. It took three years for the revolt to overcome the Syrian-Greek army. It was on the 25th day of Kislev,165 B.C.that the return of political control over Jerusalem and the temple was final. The Jews cleansed the temple of all the pagan idols. All the vessels were return and the menorah was lit in celebration and worship. The 25th day of Kislev was set aside as a memorial and testimony of God’s faithfulness to his promise to Abraham give him a land and to make his name known forever.

Hanukkah means “dedication or rededication”. The Talmud records a story when the temple was ready for worship there was only one cruse of oil that was sealed as pure. The oil would be enough for one day’s light. However,the oil lasted eight days. The olive oil used in the menorah was brought from Galilee which was an eight day trip to and from.

Why is this important to God’s people today?

If Antiochus had succeeded in destruction of the Jewish people there would be no Jewish woman to carry the Savior. There would have been no temple to dedicate the baby born in a manger. Jesus would not have been born. Praise God His plan cannot be thwarted.

Hanukkah is a symbol of how God’s people are to stand and not compromise!

It should remind us that “The Light of the World- Jesus” can not be extinguished.

God is faithful and He will complete the work He began in us.

This year in Jerusalem on December 10th a stone altar was consecrated to be part of the 3rd temple. All is ready for daily sacrifices to begin as soon as the government approves. This third temple is to be for all people. A type of “United Nations.” We are fast approaching the return of Jesus, not as a baby in a manger but a King.

Now is the time for Christians to be bold in their faith. We cannot compromise with the world any longer. It is a time for our light to shine. Whether we need dedication or rededication, I pray we will make that decision today.

Below is some links to find out more about current news from Israel.